Royal Caribbean International is putting its automated booking and information system Cruisematch 2000 on the Galileo global distribution system in a bid to increase its electronic business.
The cruise operator is offering the system free of charge to agents with Galileo access – it already has a similar tie-up with the other three major GDS systems, Sabre, Worldspan and Amadeus.
Royal Caribbean claimed the move would help contribute to a switch in the way agents book its product. It wants make half of its bookings electronically by 2000, cutting down on its distribution costs
Currently 75 agents in the UK use CruiseMatch 2000. To gain access to CruiseMatch 2000, agents should contact Royal Caribbean who will then arrange for a connection.
Marketing automation specialist for Royal Caribbean International Karen Jackson said: “The challenge for us is to have 50% of our bookings made via automation by 2000 and the access to CruiseMatch 2000 through Galileo will help us achieve this target, as well as offer an efficient cruise booking and information system to many more agents.”
Last year, only 20 agents were using the system but in the last few months Royal Caribbean has seen that number leap. Jackson believes this increase is down to agents becoming much more technology literate. CruiseMatch is also available via the Internet.
Jackson said: “There are always going to be agents who do not have access to a GDS and book by phone but we think agents in general are getting much more up-to-date with their technology.
“They’re getting involved with the Internet and realising booking electronically can be very efficient.”